I didn’t need a ring to show that he was mine. I didn’t need a piece of paper to hold him to me. And honestly, I didn’t really want it.
At first, I could tell Mouse didn’t get it but he never pushed me for anything. I suggested we change the kids’ last names and that seemed to make him happy.
We had the Solis-Ramsey children.
I took it a step further and changed mine to that too.
And Mouse surprised me one day when he came home and told me that he had jumped through the hoops and gotten his changed as well.
So now we were the Solis-Ramsey family.
And it was perfect. I felt complete. Whole. Like all I’d ever dreamed for.
We were mixed up but oh, so beautiful. And there wasn’t a second that went by that I didn’t feel surrounded by love.
All that said, it didn’t mean that I wasn’t happy for Chris and Ky. I was thrilled for them and excited to be here to share this day with them.
“Ky,” Chris started and the only sounds around were the slow rolling waves crashing in the background and the occasional seagull cheering them on. “It may have taken you a while but eventually you let me in. I’m so happy to be standing here, by your side today. I couldn’t have asked for more in life. I’m glad you stayed.”
“Chris.” My brother cleared his throat and I knew he was going to have to choke out the words that followed. It didn’t mean that he meant them any less, Ky wasn’t an overly emotional person. But I knew he wanted to do this for Chris. “You are everything I never knew I needed. You are the love I never knew I craved. I don’t know what I would do without your patience and kindness. What the hell, I love you, baby. Is there really more to say than that?”
There were soft chuckles all around, even from Chris, who looked like he expected nothing less from his man.
Forevers and love were promised. And the crowd finally wasn’t able to hold back a second longer. Honestly, I thought they’d done pretty well considering they could be a rowdy bunch most of the time. Whoops and cheers rose up in the air as Ky and Chris shared their first kiss as a married couple.
It might be weird to say that I watched and took this moment in so that I’d never forget it. And, yes, seeing my brother take Chris’ mouth like that was a bit disturbing, but there was so much love there that it warmed me all the way down to my toes.
I was so happy for my brother. He’d come a long way. And I was pretty sure everyone knew how I felt about Chris by now. I loved those two so much and they deserved this more than I could ever say.
The newlywed couple broke apart and raised their clasped hands in the air, then made their way back down the aisle. Mouse and I met in the middle and he didn’t hesitate to slip his hand into mine as we followed after Chris and Ky, our kids right there with us.
Everyone piled into their beach house after the short walk up the shore.
The day went by in a blur and soon turned into night. Everyone was having a good time celebrating and before long, we were saying our goodbyes.
Chris and Ky would be heading out the next morning. They didn’t have a destination in mind but I did know— to Chris’ uncertainty— they were riding out on Ky’s bike.
We’d see them in a week when they returned.
“What a day,” Mouse said once we had the kids down and were in our room getting more comfortable.
“Right? But it was so good.” I slipped my foot out of my sandal, happy that I didn’t have to wear heels. It sort of didn’t make sense with the beach wedding and all.
I felt him move behind me, his fingers going to the top of the zipper on my dress. His lips met the curve of my neck as he slowly pulled the zipper down and released me from my dress.
“I’m going to spend forever with you,” he whispered into my ear. “No matter what, I will be by your side.”
I smiled as I turned in his arms.
We may not have needed a wedding, but we had our own vows that we promised to each other. He told me this from time-to-time, just to make sure I’d never forget it.
“I’ve given you my heart,” I told him as my arms went around his neck. “Because I trust you to love and protect it always. And I promise to do the same for yours.”
He kissed me then, like he had been waiting a million years to do so.
Mouse
“Row! Dammit, Row, get your ass back here,” I yelled out but there was no stopping the sixteen-year-old as she took off across the lot in the direction of the two newest prospects. One of them being her brother, Chry. The other one being his best friend and guy that couldn’t take his eyes off my little girl whenever she was around. “Sparrow!” I called out to no avail.
